OMAP Announcement 04-07-2020-03 is to notify all Users of the Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) that during the period of the Governor’s emergency disaster announcement related to the COVID-19 Coronavirus, the use of MATP will be limited, since many routine visits are not urgent, and elective procedures are currently prohibited in certain medical facilities under orders issued on March 19, 2020 from the Governor and Secretary of Health. If you have a scheduled appointment that has not yet been cancelled, contact your medical provider to see if the appointment is necessary.

Effective April 1, 2020 and continuing through the Coronavirus emergency declaration only, the mileage reimbursement rate increased to $0.25 per mile. You do not need to do anything at this time to receive the increased rate if you travel to a Medicaid covered medical service during the emergency declaration period. As mentioned above, you are encouraged to contact your health care provider prior to traveling if not for an urgent condition.

As a reminder, this rate is temporary and only continues during the emergency declaration. The rate will return to the established rate of $0.12 per mile after the declaration has ended.

Please let your county MATP agency know if you have any questions. In the meantime, please visit the PA Department of Health’s dedicated web page for the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19.

The Department of Aging launched an online COVID-19 resource guide to help older adults easily find useful information related to their health, safety, and well-being. The guide includes information about meals, prescriptions, protective services, scams, and how to stay active and connected.

The IRS has issued much-anticipated guidance on the payroll tax deferral component of the CARES Act, which allows companies to defer payment on the company match of the Social Security tax (6.2%) for company payroll for March 27 through December 31. The first 50% of this deferral will need to be paid back by Dec. 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% paid back by Dec. 31, 2022. Thus, this tax deferral can be viewed as a two-year, interest-free loan that gives companies immediate liquidity.

Under the new guidance, companies that have received a PPP loan, but whose loan has not yet been forgiven, may defer deposit and payment of the employer’s share of Social Security tax that otherwise would be required to be made beginning on March 27 through the date the lender issues a decision to forgive the loan without incurring failure to deposit and failure to pay penalties. Click here for additional details.

Many employers have heard about numerous governmental regulations and programs for employers with less than 500 employees. This call is a Q&A for larger employers (more than 500 employees) and will address furloughs and time off, unemployment compensation, special considerations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other questions related to employment law during this time. Jeffrey J. Worley, Esq., Gibbel Kraybill & Hess LLP, will join us for this discussion for members of RCPA.

The call will take place on Friday, April 17, 2020 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Register here to participate.

The Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities has published a new fact sheet for health care professionals, describing best practices and legal requirements for health care when serving people with disabilities. It is based on guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.

The COVID-19 Telehealth Program, a new federal program appropriated by Congress as part of the CARES Act, will provide $200 Million in Support for Health Care Providers and Patients Across the Country During the Coronavirus Outbreak. Application vetting begins this week.